15-year-old boy dies after apparently shooting himself

With extremely strict gun owning laws in Japan, I wonder how the boy got hold of a loaded gun?

Maybe it was a 3D printed gun

There isn't going to be any investigation if that were the case. A 3D printed gun is going to look like a 3D printed gun..

Seapig: "Yes, Japan is, compared to many many places, an extremely safe country!"

Yeah, I suppose compared to the alleyways of Tikrit or Manilla, sure.

You’re really comparing Japan to back ally’s in Tikrit or Manila? Thank You, I needed a laugh this morning!

Most of the things you mentioned would hardly make the news in many developed countries. I know it doesn’t fit the narrative but instead of the drama about “Safety Japan” the real focus should be on addressing the issues and improving the support system for things like bullying, desperation, and other mental health issues that push people towards these tragedies.

Yeh, getting the gun and bullet is the most important. That a 15-year-old killed himself? Meh, who cares. Is that what people are posting?

No, but the sad reality is that a suicide in Japan isn't really news, while regular citizens having access to guns is.

But hey, if more people lamented his fate, maybe we could bring him back to life. Is that what you're posting? Or are you just trying to score brownie points and prove your moral superiority over others?

Might have just been an accident...

Seapig: "Yes, Japan is, compared to many many places, an extremely safe country!"

Yeah, I suppose compared to the alleyways of Tikrit or Manilla, sure. The problem is that it becomes less believable when this story is but one amidst "Guy murders coworker by dumping load of building materials on him", "Woman arresting for dumping baby in washroom," "Boy kills his mother," and the anniversary of the knife rampage in Akibahara, to name but a few.

Anyway, I mirror others in asking where on earth the kid got a gun, and also why are they bending over backwards in the Japanese media these days to avoid saying someone killed themselves? It's the same with the woman from Terrace House -- they all but avoided saying suicide. Is it to keep the numbers low?

That a 15-year-old killed himself? Meh, who cares. 

If focusing on yet another suicide enough or saying RIP enough will resurrect the boy I am sure the tune will change.

But such as it is a teenager managing to get his hands on a functional firearm has potential to effect us and our families directly. His suicide does not, tragic though it may be.

Tragedies like this ought to remind us how vitally important it is to establish close relationships with our kids based on mutual love and trust, starting when they are little.

When I read about these incidents, as a Parent, I feel heart broken. More-so, since I know, that my Eldest is facing similar issues, and that there is nothing I can do about it. Yes, there's TELL - "but you can't force a horse to drink water", and I am pretty sure there will be many who say it's also my Fault too... though, I wonder how many of you out there really know, really have dealt with the situation, and not just with something that is a mere one-off teen-frustration issue, but perhaps, with something that is, hereditary .... ?

I feel heartbroken for the Family of this young man, and also at the same time, fearful, that I will be in the same position as them. As a non-fluent Japanese Speaker - setting up a go-it-alone-support group is not going to go anywhere in Japan - just as this comment will go no-where.

So, the only thing I can ask of you... and that's a big ask....

Is to first bite your tounge... don't be an armchair critic in these types of situations, say nothing unless constructive, as seriously... if it was your Kid that had just Died, and you'd started reading comments here... how'd you feel ?

Yeh, getting the gun and bullet is the most important. That a 15-year-old killed himself? Meh, who cares. Is that what people are posting?

Exactly. Different coverage from the death of Hana Kimura. No reporting on the method of her suicide but all focus (rightfully so) on the bullying aspect as the reason. Possibly a follow up will reveal if the boy struggled with some personal anguish or it could be determined his death was an accident.

Yeh, getting the gun and bullet is the most important. That a 15-year-old killed himself? Meh, who cares. Is that what people are posting?

Even if it is a 3D gun, it would need conventional ammunition, you can't 3D print gunpowder...

No, but you can find casings with bullets minus gunpowder and you can get gunpowder out of fireworks, remove the bullet from the casing, pack in the gunpowder and then repack the bullet. The only thing I am uncertain about is the primer in the rim side of the casing. But I bet its not too hard to replace that either.

That said it is more likely he got a functional bullet from somewhere. Even avid shooters rarely reload their own cartridges. It can be done but its a bit of work to gather the equipment, materials and the skills.

I don't know why a kid can't just flat out say "My life sucks, school is misery, I want to die, can you help?"

Why does it have to go to end game.

A bullet through the brain, a permanent end to a temporary problem.

I am so sorry for this story.

RIP young man.

A 15 year old kid with a revolver in Japan? As sad as it is that he killed himself, the real news is how he got the gun.

@darknuts.

where he got the gun from in safety Japan.

Wild guess. From his dad?

Where did he get the ammo never mind the gun?

According to this article it was a silver revolver manufactured in the US. One bullet had been fired which had passed clean through his head.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/311fa24f4f5bc536614ca9b018fd137733838794

拳銃は米国社製の真正のものとみられることが、捜査関係者への取材で分かった。少年ら家族との反社会的組織との接点は確認されておらず、警視庁は入手経路の捜査を進めている。少年事件課や捜査関係者によると、少年は２階にある自室のベッド上で頭から血を流して倒れていた。発砲音を聞いた母親が見つけ搬送先の病院で死亡が確認された。室内からは米国社製の銀色の回転式拳銃１丁が見つかり、少年の頭部には銃弾が貫通した痕が確認された。

Maybe it was a 3D printed gun (designs are available online for free) as opposed to a real revolver?

Even if it is a 3D gun, it would need conventional ammunition, you can't 3D print gunpowder...

He probably found the gun in a konbini toilet, where some cop left it.

@ darknuts

Yes, one does wonder where he obtained the gun. But, please, give the “safety Japan” sarcasm a break. More people are killed in some cities around the world over a weekend than die in all of Japan in a year. Yes, Japan is, compared to many many places, an extremely safe country!

Yep, definitely authentic, it went bang. Given Japans fairly stringent gun laws, especially around hand guns the more relevant question is undoubtedly how he got his hands on it.

Whether it was suicide or an idiot teen (which they all are as were we) playing with something he shouldn’t also needs to be understood and if suicide the causes and action taken to try to prevent it happening again.

Everybody with teenage children, make an effort to talk to them about bullying if you even suspect it. The teachers here clearly don’t.

Some “replica” guns can be modified to fire real rounds. He would still need to find a real round. I’m wondering if his father’s occupation may be key to this mystery?

Uh..it's authenticity? Since it was able to kill, perhaps its REAL?

Maybe it was a 3D printed gun (designs are available online for free) as opposed to a real revolver?

Many will quickly claim the same tired old reasons usually claimed for teen suicides and attempts but never mention the lonely, relationship and sexless hell society foists on teenagers by robbing of them of any chance to be a human being in that department. I believe this despair is usually man made and completely avoidable.

they are investigating its authenticity as well as the channel of acquisition.

Uh..it's authenticity? Since it was able to kill, perhaps its REAL?

Makes you wonder where he got the gun from in safety Japan.